June 2006
Hi All
Now i know there are big variations in the quality of some componants some manufactures i have heard of some cars needing shocks & wheel bearings at 40k and others ok for more than 120k
A friend of mine needed a wheel bearing & shocks for MOT - 99 Pug 106 1.4- at 55k miles. I was surprised at this i have the same model of car although 5 years older and a 1.1L and it didnt need a wheel bearing until 95k and my shocks are origional at 111k.
I was wondering why the componants - assuming the manufature is using the same quality of parts- may last longer on one car the other is it just down to how the cars driven??? eg potholes. speedbumps, etc.
Also does heavy breaking have a bad effect on wheel bearings and so why?? and what would a reasonable life expentancy for wheel bearings & shocks in tems of miullage and the life of the seals
Cheers
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I'm going to look at a 1.3 L VW Polo - 1995, tommorow and am now a bit concerned this model is a bit dud.
I have heard the engine power is very poor and that the model in general was not very good (hence it being discontinued and upped to the 1.4 L model in same year)
Anybody able to provide some advice on the pros and cons of this model would be a great help.
The car in question has 65000 miles on the clock and has some service history. I have agreed a price of £800.00 should i wish to buy on the day. Does this sound ok?
Many thanks to all in advance. Read more
Make sure it's had a cambelt change. Also look for rust - bottoms of the doors, rear valence, boot edge.
can you reset the airbag light on a mk3 golf? if so how? it is on the right of the steering wheel next to the light switches Read more
adam f
Just re-setting the light is rather pointless, as it will just come on again until the fault is fixed. It will need scanning equipment to identify the fault code and clear the memory.
I've tried Renault dealers to get an answer on this one. 2 said no and 1 of 20 years working there said yes!!
I've recently blown up the engine on my 1998 Renault Megane Scenic and the only solution due to the head and the lump being damaged is to replace the engine.
The quotes for a recon engine and its fitting is the same price as getting a new car!
But, I recently came across an engine for a Laguna that was at a better price. It is the same engine size 1.9 dTi (Diesel) and has the same first 3 digits to the engine type F9Q. Although my engine was an F9Q 730 on my scenic and the Laguna one is F9Q 716, is this engine compatable with my Scenic?
I take it i'll need to use the Scenic mounts to fit it but its whether the gearbox and the like will match up and fit.
any ideas
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I am looking for some advice on polish.
Over the last 18 months I have bought several types of polish But having a serious back problem have not got around to polishing my car. Anyway I bought one of those electric buffers and am determined to polish my car, the question is out of these which is the best.
Turtle Wax clear vue.
Auto Glym.
Ultra Glaze.
Zymol.
Thanks in advance Roger
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A leading car magazine regularly tests various car waxes and polishes - Turtle Wax is always rated very highly. I use both Autoglym and Turtle Wax (the latter is the soft paste version in the round can which is easy to apply and polish off afterwards). Tesco sold it off for just 55p a can about a year ago and I wish I'd bought more now...:-(
I don't use wash and wax products as it invariably leaves a residue of wax on the windscreen and the inevitable problem of smearing when using the wipers - a real bind at night.
Simonez used to do a wax-free car wash product but it doesn't, unfortunately, seem to be available any more.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Almost on 20K now and as I shall shortly be passing this car on to the lady it seems a good time to review. Hopefully will be of use to others considering this car.
Things I like:
1. Great dCi engine. Always smooth, responsive and refined. Never failed to start, even when left for three weeks in well below zero temperatures. Worst MPG was 48, best 60, average 55. Quite linear in its power delivery, good punch of power from 1800rpm right through to 3500.
2. Panaroamic sunroof. I find being in other cars claustrophobic now, it adds light in the winter which is nice.
3. Keyless entry - brilliant. One day all cars will have this.
4. Very good seats, decent range of adjustments and very supportive. I have done 650 miles in a day in this car with no discomfort at all.
5. Sharp handling on 17'' alloys.
6. Air con works well, cools down rapidly.
7. That rear styling.
8. Huge glove box. You could fit another passenger in there...
9. Overall fit and finish is good, a huge improvement on previous Renaults.
10. Awesome brakes.
11. CD player and leather steering wheel.
12. Refined at motorway speed - useful in France.
Things I don't like:
1. Ride a bit fidgety on those fat 17'' wheels.
2. Auto wipers not sensitive enough in drizzle (apparently fixed on the 2006 model)
3. Changing the front bulbs. Grrr!!
4.A bit more attention need on some internal plastics, the heater controls feel a bit cheap as does the plastic surrounding the gear stick. But everything is well fitted and the upholstery is well finished and after 20K shows no signs of any wear at all.
5. Paint is soft and tyres don't last very long (seems to be an issue with other makes as well)
General comments:
Gearbox was a bit notchy to start with, but has loosened up nicely.
Clutch very light, would make a good car to learn to drive on.
Reliability:
It has always started and got me to where I want to go. Nothing has broken or fallen off. The only issue I have had was the sunroof that creaked in both hot and cold weather and occasionally got stuck (but never failed to close). The dealer adjusted the runners and it's been fine ever since. I suspect they've greased the runners since it opens and closes with more enthusiasm now. I got the impression that it was a known fault, although they didn't say as much. While it was in the dealer they checked the brake pedal pin as it's subject to a 'Product Enhancement'. Mine was ok but if it needs doing it's a four hour job, under warranty luckily.
Conclusion:
I have enjoyed owning this car. Read more
Xileno - I hope you'll tell us what you get to replace the Megane. Anyone who loves 205 GRDs is worth listening to!
Hi
I am just about to change the front disks and pads on my 1997 Audi A4 with abs. Is it best to undo the bleed nipple when pushing the caliper piston in to avoid damage to the abs pump or if i take it slowley will i avoid damage to the pump. I am a bit confused as i have had contrasting advice on this matter. All help gratefully received
Tony Read more
personaally i always clamp the brake hose, open the nipple and then push/wind pistons back into the calipers. Then fully bleed after. Change fluid too if required.
Saves any doubt, removes old fluid, and takes no longer.
Hi, can anybody help?, gearbox goes into 'safe mode' when cold but if you switch off and restart engine when warm works fine, changed fluid made no difference, fault code shows No. 39 'no transmission signal output RPM signal' any ideas what causes this fault, thanks Read more
The two sensors are easy to get at from under the bonnet, as is the selector switch. I got my sensor from the local scrappy for 'free', just one 10mm bolt to undo and a connector. To read the codes go to vauxhall and pay around £50 or do the same as me and use a paperclip!! see www.topbuzz1.carenthusiasts.co.uk and www.akirwan.freeserve.co.uk/akhow2/diag_no3.rtf, only works on pre 1997 approx models I think. So the cost my friend, about £2 worth of petrol. hope this helps.
Alternator on primera we bought a few weeks ago has failed. We have a replacement alternator. Can't find where the old one is! There is a correct sized looking item top front of the engine attached to pulleys. Haynes doesn't give us a clue. Where is it?! Everything is getting a bit fraught as the car needs to be ready for tomorrow for sister in law and her family, eeek!
Any clues?!
teabelly Read more
Everything is sorted now at last. Alternator seems to have been replaced before as the one from it isn't a nissan one. Will now mostly be working Mr Nice Cup Of Tea :-)
teabelly
Does anyone have one of these? It seems to be a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. As discrete as a 1.4 but nice and fast. But not as OTT as the 225. Read more
You are very kind to keep me company.
I shall not be trading in the Megane, SWMBO wants to have it. I wonder what I should charge her ;-)
To be honest I am not bothered about depreciation, I often end up giving my cars away once I have finished with them. I gave my Laguna to my 18 year old godson, he is well pleased with it even though it was on 180K. I doubt the 165 is livlier in general driving but will have more power at the top end. However I would not get a 1.9dCi, the 2.0 dCi is the new Renault/Nissan unit out now and from what I've read it's a bit of a peach. Drove nicely in the new Laguna I tested, very quiet and unlike a lot of turbo diesels it will pull cleanly from idle.
Browse
A few years ago I used to regularly service a Transit van. (6000 mile intervals I think). The driver was VERY heavy on the brakes, and I often used to have to replace pads and discs between services. Front wheel bearings were routinely replaced as the heat generated by braking burnt the bearing grease, and sometimes 'blued' the bearings.